Erik is a baseball fan who has been attending baseball games and snagging baseballs regularly since 2008.

Gate Opening Times Resource

I recently did some research into gate opening times for a few different parks that I wanted to visit in 2011. I figured it might be a helpful resource to post the gate opening times for all 30 MLB ballparks. Some teams, such as Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati let season ticket holders in before the general public. If you see any changes or information that needs added, please leave a comment.

All information was taken from the A-Z guides from each team’s webpage.

2011 GATE OPENING TIMES:

Arizona Diamondbacks – Chase Field

Chase Field opens one and a half (1.5) hours before each game Monday through Thursday and two (2) hours before each weekend game.

For all Orioles home games, Gates A and H (at either end of Eutaw Street) will open 2 hours prior to game time to allow fans to enter the park. At this time, fans can watch batting practice from Eutaw Street, the Eutaw Street Bleachers, and the Flag Court. The Bud Light Warehouse Bar also opens at this time. All other gates will open 1 ½ hours prior to game time, and at this point all fans may enter the seating bowl. *Season Ticket holders may enter the main seating bowl at 5PM, entrance point is at the right field foul pole.

Boston Red Sox – Fenway Park

The ballpark opens two hours (120 minutes) before game start time.

Chicago Cubs – Wrigley Field

The gates of Wrigley Field will open two hours prior to each game time unless otherwise announced.

Chicago White Sox – US Cellular Field

The U.S. Cellular Field gates open 90 minutes prior to game time, unless otherwise noted. On Kids Days, the gates will open two (2) hours prior to game time.

*Cincinnati Reds – Great American Ballpark

Gates open 90 minutes prior to game time. Gate opening times may vary if a game is rescheduled. *Season Ticket holders will be admitted at the Joe Nuxhall Gate 2 hours before the game.Cleveland Indians – Progressive Field

For all night games at Progressive Field (Monday – Saturday), Gate C will open at 4:30 p.m. to allow fans access to the Market Pavilion, Heritage Park and the Right Field Lower Reserved seats until 6:00 p.m. This will enable fans to watch the Indians take Batting Practice, as well as time to enjoy Heritage Park in the center field area. At 6:00 p.m. ALL gates will open. For 1:05 p.m. day games, all gates will open at 11:30 a.m. For all 12:05 p.m. day games, gates will open at 11 a.m.

Colorado Rockies – Coors Field

Guests are encouraged to come early and watch batting practice, infield workouts and pregame ceremonies. Gates A (Rockpile entrance) and E will open 2 hours prior to game time for Guests who want to view batting practice. Guests will be required to stay in the Left Field Pavilion area until the remaining ballpark gates open. Gates B, C and D will open 1 1/2 hours prior to game time. Gate opening times may vary if game is rescheduled.

Detroit Tigers – Comerica Park

The gates to Comerica Park open approximately 1-1/2 hours prior to the scheduled game time unless otherwise advertised. Guests are invited to arrive early and watch batting and infield practice, enjoy rides on the Fly Ball Ferris Wheel and Carousel, historical displays, the food offerings in the Comerica Bank Big Cat Court and FOX Sports Detroit Brushfire Grill, as well as the pre-game ceremonies.

Florida Marlins – Sun Life Stadium

For all Sunday – Friday homes games, Gate H and G open 90 minutes prior to first pitch and Gate F opens 60 minutes prior to first pitch. For all Saturday home games, all gates open 90 minutes prior to first pitch.

Houston Astros – Minute Maid Park

The gates of Minute Maid Park will open two hours prior to game time on Saturday and 1.5 hours prior to game time on Sunday – Friday, allowing fans ample time to enjoy the ballpark, locate seats and satisfy cravings at the many concession stands

Kansas City Royals – Kauffman Stadium

All gates will open 1.5 hours prior to game Fri – Sun and 1 hour prior to game Mon- Thurs. Gate E will open 1 1/2 prior to game on Wednesdays for Student Night..

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – Angel Stadium

There are six gates available to all fans coming to the ballpark. The gates open 90 minutes prior to the start of the scheduled first pitch. The Home Plate Gate opens two hours early, except on Sunday games, it will open 90 minutes prior to the game.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Dodger Stadium

Third base side Field & Loge Level and Left Pavilion gates open 2 hours prior to the start of the game. All other gates open 1 1/2 hours prior to the first pitch. All parking gates open 2 hours prior to the start of each game. Gate times may vary for special events such as Opening Day and the Postseason.

Milwaukee Brewers – Miller Park

Gates will open 2 hours prior to game start for all Marquee games. In April, May and September, Miller Park gates will open 90 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the non-Marquee games, 7 days a week. In June, July and August, gates will open 90 minutes prior to the scheduled start of non-Marquee games Monday – Friday, and 2 hours prior on Saturdays and Sundays.

Minnesota Twins – Target Field

Target Field gates open for admittance 1 ½ hours prior to the first pitch for Monday through Thursday games, and 2 hours prior to the first pitch for Friday through Sunday games. There are five gate entrances at Target Field, each on the Main Level.

New York Mets – Citi Field

Monday-Friday/Weekday Games – Rotunda and Hodges VIP Entrance open 2 hours before the game. All other gates 1 1/2 hours prior to the game.

Saturday & Sunday Games – Rotunda and Hodges VIP Entrance open 2 hours before the game. All other gates 1 1/2 hours prior to the game. Rotunda opens 2 1/2 hours before the game for Mets Season Ticket Holders.

Subway Series Friday, July 1 – Sunday, July 3 – All gates open 2 1/2 hours before the game.

New York Yankees – Yankee Stadium

Yankee Stadium gates open two hours prior to the scheduled start of every home game. Please note that gate openings are subject to change during inclement weather and for special events, doubleheaders, Opening Day and postseason play.

Oakland Athletics – The Coliseum
Monday – Friday games: Stadium gates open one and a half (1.5) hours prior to scheduled start of the game.

Regular Season – Monday through Friday: 1 1/2 hours prior to game time. Saturday/Sunday: 2 hours prior to game time. Ashburn Alley (Left Field Gate) opens every day 2 1/2 hours prior to game time.

*Pittsburgh Pirates – PNC Park

Gates open one and one half hours (1 1/2) prior to game time (Monday through Sunday) and two hours on Opening Day. The Riverwalk will open two (2) hours before weekday (Monday-Friday) games and two and one half hours (2 1/2) prior to weekend (Saturday-Sunday) games. *Season ticket holders may enter left field 2 hours early Mon-Fri and 2.5 hours early on Saturday.

*San Diego Padres – Petco Park

Many ballpark gates open for admittance one and one-half (1 1/2) hours prior to the first pitch for Monday through Thursday games, and two (2) hours before the first pitch for Friday through Sunday games. The Park at the Park opens two and one-half (2 1/2) hours prior to the first pitch and allow guest access to the Park at the Park and the Padres Power Alley.

*Season Ticket Holders have special pre-game access to batting practice in the ballpark through the Park Boulevard Gate.

San Francisco Giants – AT&T Park

Gates open two hours prior to game time during the regular season.

Seattle Mariners – Safeco Field

All gates open two hours prior to game time.

St. Louis Cardinals – Busch Stadium

Stadium gates generally open 2 hours before game time.

Tampa Bay Rays – Tropicana Field

Monday-Thursday Games = Gates open 1 1/2 hours prior to game time
Friday-Sunday Games = Gates open 2 hours prior to game time

Texas Rangers – Rangers Ballpark in Arlington

First and Third Base Gates open two hours prior to game time for night games and one and one-half hours prior to game time for afternoon games. Home Plate and Center Field Gates at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington open one and one-half hours prior to game time for all games.

Toronto Blue Jays – Rogers Centre

Guests can enter the stadium 90 minutes before the first pitch on any weekday home game. On Saturday and Sunday home games, the gates to Rogers Centre open 2 hours prior to game-time.

Washington Nationals – Nationals Park

or all Nationals home games, the Center Field Gate will open 2 1/2 hours prior to first pitch. At this time, guests will have access to the Red Porch, Exxon Strike Zone, select center field sections to watch batting practice and concession stands. All other gates will open 1 1/2 hours prior to first pitch.

So, here’s a quick at a glance look at how the different ballparks open on WEEKDAYS, since some teams open a little earlier on weekends:

11 Comments

That’s really helpful, thanks for the list. I would just like to add that you can buy early admittance for Great American Ball Park at the Reds Hall of Fame. You get in at 4:30, and it’s $15 for adults, $13 for students and seniors, and $11 for military vets. Great for ballhawking, 70% of my balls come in this time.

Erik! Hi! I’m Kyra, Amy’s old roommate. I have no clue how to get a hold of her and I remembered your name and she told me you had a site. Is there any way I can get a hold of her? Tell her I’m thinking of her if you two are still together :)

Thanks! May get to Fenway this year, so it’s good to know in advance. Two hints re: the Florida parks; Been a couple years since I’ve been to a Marlins game, but the ones I attended had gates open 90 minutes early … but no access to the seats until 30 minutes before game time. The Rays rarely take BP on the field before home games (explained to me as because Maddon thinks it’s “only for the fans” and would rather they hit in the cages out of sight), and neither team takes BP before Sunday games (which start @ 1:40 following a night Saturday game).

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